Be Ready for Winter Weather

Water heaters are an essential part of our daily routines. No one wants to use cold water to wash hands, clean homes or take showers at any time of year, especially in the winter. But maintaining a water heater is probably not something most people think about often.

Regardless of a water heater's age, visual signs of rust on the outside can be a warning sign that it needs to be replaced. Rust and corrosion on the outside of a water heater means that the rust has already eaten through the inner-most fiberglass lining, insulation and made its way to the exterior. This deterioration cannot be reversed or repaired and can lead to leaks or breakdowns, depending on the extent of the exterior rust involved.

Hot water heaters come in different sizes and hold different amounts of water. However, households are commonly equipped with 30-to-80-gallon tanks. In the event of a break that much water could seep through lower levels, cause floors to buckle and pool up in finished basements causing quite a bit of damage.

If you notice any signs of damage or rust in your water heater, it may be a good idea contact a plumber to discuss maintenance or replacement options.

Many areas of the country experienced record snowfall last winter, especially in the western United States. With winter approaching once again, it is time to begin the process of winterizing your property.  One area that is often overlooked is protecting your home’s natural gas meter from the damaging effects of winter weather.  Large accumulations of snow or ice falling from roofs can damage your gas meter and associated gas piping creating potentially hazardous leaks. 

There are steps you can take to prevent problems with your gas meter before winter arrives and after the snowfall starts.

• Consider installing an engineered snow shelter or shed to protect the meter from falling, sliding or accumulating snow and ice
• Keep meters free of snow and ice by using a broom and not a shovel, to avoid damaging the meter
• Allow vents in the meter to properly exhaust
• Maintain a clear path to the meter and when shoveling or plowing, don’t pile snow on the gas meter

Some common ways to identify a gas leak include¹:

• Smell - natural gas has a scent similar to rotten eggs, even if faint
• Hear - when there is a gas leak from the ground, above ground piping or appliance, it will often make a hissing sound
• See – unexplained dead or dying vegetation or grass, bubbling puddles or other standing water or dirt, water and other debris blowing into the air could signify a potential leak